The Top Palmtops

The incredible shrinking portable reaches new heights. We test five palm-size 

PCs and organizers.

By David Hayden



                  

                  How small can a computer get? Ten years ago, 

               when IBM announced the PC, it seemed 

               inconceivable that it would someday fit in a 

               coat pocket. Today, such a device not only 

               exists, it is even reasonably priced. Though 

               palmtop devices are newcomers in the consumer 

               electronics market, there's already a handful 

               of models from well known manufacturers.

                  The Atari Portfolio, Casio SF-9500 Executive 

               B.O.S.S., Hewlett-Packard 95LX, Poqet PC and 

               Sharp Wizard OZ-8200 represent the current crop 

               of pocketable computers. Although the Sharp 

               Wizard and Casio B.O.S.S. are primarily 

               electronic organizers, their use of memory and 

               program cards, and links to desktop PCs, make 

               these products more than just electronic 

               daybooks.

                  The differences in the function and design 

               of these five palmtops spell greater variety 

               and choice for those interested in taking 

               advantage of the latest technology. This report 

               highlights these differences and give 

               recommendations on the best uses for each 

               model.

                  

                  Atari Portfolio

                  If you want a palmtop that works well as a 

               notetaker but don't want to spend a fortune, 

               consider the $299 Atari Portfolio. The 

               Portfolio features a very clear 40-character x 

               8-line display, a standard QWERTY keyboard with 

               a solid feel, and 128K of memory that can be 

               split between storage and memory.

                  The built-in applications include the basic 

               organizer functions such as address book, 

               appointment scheduler, calculator and text 

               editor, plus a limited spreadsheet with Lotus 

               file compatibility. Literally hundreds of other 

               applications may be run by using memory cards 

               specifically for the Portfolio.

                  The address book shows either a one-line 

               entry containing names and phone numbers only, 

               or a page display with the address and any 

               other pertinent data. The address book has very 

               little structure, and in fact, is similar to a 

               free-form database. It works well for keeping 

               track of things to do and practically any other 

               data. The number of address books is limited 

               only by storage. Loading an address book can be 

               very slow if you have more than a hundred 

               entries.

                  The appointment scheduler doesn't have all 

               the bells and whistles of the other units 

               reviewed, but it does provide basic 

               functionality, including sounding alarms, even 

               when turned off. Repeating appointments are 

               available, but a weekly view is not offered. 

                  The text editor, while weak in the 

               formatting area, does provide word wrap (so 

               that words are not split between lines), margin 

               settings, cut and paste, and search and 

               replace. While the Great American Novel 

               probably won't be written on the Portfolio, it 

               is useful for taking notes in a business 

               meeting or in a classroom.

                  The calculator feature is enhanced by the 

               embedded numeric keypad that activates 

               automatically upon entering the calculator 

               mode. The calculator includes an paperless tape 

               that can be edited and five memories. You can 

               change the format of the numbers and send 

               output to a printer.

                  The worksheet application is a 127-column by 

               255-row Lotus version 1A-compatible spreadsheet 

               without macros, databases or string functions. 

               The Portfolio's spreadsheet is useful for small 

               applications such as expense tracking.

                  You have two options for transfering files 

               between the Portfolio and a PC. The least 

               expensive approach is the $50 parallel adapter 

               that doubles as a printer port. The other is a 

               $99 card drive that allows you to use Portfolio 

               memory cards in your PC just like a floppy 

               diskette. This makes the file transfer process 

               effortless. Atari provides no facility for file 

               conversion or merging work done on both the PC 

               and the Portfolio, but all Portfolio files are 

               saved in a standard ASCII format. For Macintosh 

               users, there is a $159 program called "MAC in 

               Your Pocket" that allows the use of the 

               optional serial port for file transfers.

                  Unfortunately, DOS compatibility is not as 

               functional as PC connectivity. The Portfolio 

               features a subset of MS-DOS 2.1 called DIP-DOS. 

               This name is aptly suited for this limited, and 

               extremely incompatible DOS. Only small, "well-

               behaved" DOS programs run acceptably on the 

               Portfolio.

                  When running DOS programs, the difference in 

               screen size from a standard PC is handled by 

               using the 40 x 8 screen as a window to a full-

               size 80 x 25 screen. In most cases this 

               "virtual screen" approach works well, but the 

               lack of reverse video causes some PC programs 

               to be cumbersome or unusable. 

                  Fortunately, hundreds of public domain 

               programs specifically for the Portfolio are 

               available on CompuServe, a popular electronic 

               information service, including a full-blown 

               Basic programming language, games like Tetris, 

               and many useful utilities.

                  Until recently, only two program cards 

               existed for the Portfolio: the DOS Utilities 

               Card, which features a basic communications 

               program, and the Finance Card. Several programs 

               were recently announced that greatly enhance 

               the usability of the Portfolio. These include a 

               Basic compiler, outliner, stock portfolio 

               tracker, time and expense card, spell-checker 

               and dictionary/thesaurus. Other titles include 

               a travel guide for both the U.S. and Europe, 

               language translator, check writer, database, 

               flight planner, and a host of other 

               applications. While the Sharp Wizard was once 

               the king in program cards, the Portfolio is now 

               a formidable opponent.

                  Peripherals are available for the Portfolio 

               from both Atari and third-party vendors. In 

               addition to the PC Card Drive and parallel 

               interface, a serial interface can be used to 

               hook up a modem or virtually any other serial 

               device. The Portfolio is the only palmtop that 

               supports a line-powered modem such as the $159 

               Practical Pocket Modem. The other palmtops that 

               support communications require bulkier battery-

               powered modems. Xoterix provides several 

               interesting products for the Portfolio, 

               including a 512K memory expansion module and an 

               $899 20MB hard disk that attaches neatly to the 

               bottom of the Portfolio.

                  Several factors limit the usability of the 

               Atari Portfolio. Currently, the maximum memory 

               card size is 128K. Because of the Portfolio's 

               tendency to lock-up, memory cards are a must 

               for data storage. Also, the "battery low" 

               message usually comes on after the batteries go 

               dead. You don't see the message until after you 

               insert a new set of batteries. Built-in 

               applications are limited to a file size of 

               about 50K regardless of available memory, which 

               can limit the size of your address book or 

               memo.

                  While the Portfolio is not without it's 

               weaknesses, it is a good value if you need a 

               little more than an electronic daytimer. The 

               built-in spreadsheet is useful for simple 

               tasks. Although it provides only limited DOS 

               compatibility, many applications have been 

               adapted for the Portfolio. If your applications 

               require a large amount of data, the Portfolio 

               may not be appropriate because of its limit on 

               storage and file size. The well-designed 

               keyboard makes the Portfolio useful as a 

               notetaker. Because of the wealth of free and 

               almost-free software and the low cost of the 

               base unit and the PC link, the Atari Portfolio 

               is arguably the best value on the palmtop 

               market.

                  

                  Casio Executive B.O.S.S. SF-9500

                  Unlike the other palmtops that offer DOS 

               compatibility, high-powered built-in 

               applications, and communications capability, 

               the $319 Casio SF-9500 Executive B.O.S.S. 

               sticks to the basics. It offers the same basic 

               organizer functions as the first-generation 

               Sharp Wizard. The addition of a program card 

               slot to this new model opens up the capability 

               for third-party applications.

                  The B.O.S.S. 9500 features 64K of expandable 

               memory, a QWERTY keyboard, and a 32-character x 

               6-line display that pales in comparison to the 

               larger displays of the other palmtops reviewed 

               here. The comparable Sharp Wizard OZ-8200 is 

               superior to the Casio B.O.S.S. in nearly every 

               area. It offers twice as much memory, a larger 

               display, and several additional built-in 

               applications. An interview with several SF-9500 

               users on CompuServe revealed that most would 

               choose the Wizard 8200 over the Casio if given 

               the opportunity to do it over. 

                  The built-in applications include a 

               telephone book, appointment scheduler, memo 

               function, business card feature, calendar, 

               home/world time, and calculator. The telephone 

               book and business card applications are 

               similar: Both provide standard address book 

               fields, including name, address and phone 

               number, and six customizable fields. The 

               business card function offers more detailed 

               categories, including company name, position, 

               department, fax number and other relevant 

               information. The SF-9500 provides a flexible 

               search facility which allows for a combined 

               word search.

                  The memo function has limited usefulness due 

               to the 384 character limit. The Sharp Wizard's 

               word wrap and calc data functions are not 

               available on the SF-9500. The calendar 

               application includes a view showing two months 

               side by side. The integrated scheduler provides 

               a useful timetable display and alarm function. 

               Notably absent from the B.O.S.S. is a repeating 

               appointment feature. The calculator is a no-

               frills equivalent of a basic calculator.

                  Several options exist to expand the 

               capabilities of the Casio B.O.S.S. SF-9500. The 

               PC Link allows file transfers between the 

               B.O.S.S. and a PC, including the capability to 

               transfer Lotus spreadsheets and other data. A 

               Macintosh version of the PC Link is also 

               available. File conversions include Sidekick, 

               Sidekick Plus, SDF delimited, text, and PC 

               Tools. File transfers can include an entire 

               file or a single entry. A unit-to-unit cable is 

               included with the base model.

                  Only a handful of applications are available 

               for the Casio, the most powerful of which is 

               the 3D Spreadsheet card. Expense Easy, Spell 

               Checker and Thesaurus, Barron's Business & 

               Travel Translator, OAG Travel Planner and 

               several personal programs, including Wine 

               Companion, Weight Loss Companion, and 

               Lottery/Horoscope Diskware are also available. 

               Finally, to expand the internal memory, Casio 

               offers 64K and 128K memory cards.

                  Many SF-9500 users on CompuServe reported 

               several problems including battery failure 

               without warning, almost non-existent technical 

               support, and confusing documentation. The 

               documentation fails to mention a number for 

               technical support or what to do if the unit is 

               defective. Both experienced and novice users 

               found the Casio difficult to use in comparison 

               to the Sharp Wizard.

                  The Casio Executive B.O.S.S. SF-9500 is 

               behind the times. Except for the QWERTY 

               keyboard and larger screen, it brings little 

               new to the table from the original Sharp Wizard 

               that was introduced more than three years ago. 

               Users of earlier models of the B.O.S.S. line 

               may find the increased memory and program card 

               slot of the SF-9500 worth upgrading, but new 

               users should look elsewhere.

                  

                  Hewlett-Packard 95LX

                  If you are a spreadsheet user and need more 

               than an electronic organizer, but an full 80 x 

               25 display isn't necessary, the $699 DOS-

               compatible HP 95LX offers the best tradeoffs. 

               It features a 40-character x 16-line LCD 

               display, 512K of memory, Lotus 1-2-3, and an 

               impressive array of organizer tools in a 

               package that is small enough to fit in a shirt 

               pocket.

                  The HP 95LX is the newest member of the 

               palmtop category, and Hewlett-Packard clearly 

               has learned from the mistakes and achievements 

               of the competition on almost every front. The 

               built-in applications include an address book, 

               appointment scheduler with to-do list, text 

               editor, data communications, HP calculator, 

               file manager, and most impressively, Lotus 1-2-

               3.

                  Unlike the Portfolio, whose spreadsheet has 

               limited functionality, the HP 95LX provides a 

               full copy of Lotus 1-2-3 version 2.2, complete 

               with graphs, macros and database. It is 

               identical to its desktop counterpart with the 

               exception of Allways, Print Graph and the 

               Translate utility. The keyboard is designed 

               with the Lotus user in mind. The 95LX features 

               a separate numeric keypad, and the / key, @ 

               symbol and parenthesis are separate keys. Even 

               the 1-2-3 function key template is printed 

               above the keys. If you are a Lotus 1-2-3 user, 

               the HP 95LX is a good fit.

                  The address book is adequate, but like the 

               other built-in applications, excluding Lotus 1-

               2-3, file sizes are limited to about 50K. The 

               address book provides both a card and index 

               view, and search capability. The memo editor 

               provides basic text editing and printing, but 

               isn't designed for letter writing.

                  The appointment scheduler is rivaled only by 

               the Sharp Wizard. The 95LX is the only product 

               that features a prioritized to-do list that is 

               integrated into the appointment scheduler. A 

               useful alarm function allows you to set a lead 

               time of up to 30 minutes to remind you of an 

               appointment, even if the unit is turned off. 

               Other features include attachable notes, 

               repeating appointments and a calendar view.

                  The communications module is the most 

               complete among all palmtops. It is the only one 

               that features VT-100 terminal emulation and 

               provides the most complete scripting language 

               for automating communication sessions. Other 

               features include both Xmodem and Kermit file 

               transfer protocol, file capture and the ability 

               to easily move around an 80-column 

               communications session.

                  As you would expect, the financial 

               calculator function of the 95LX is the best 

               among its peers. An impressive array of 

               features include time-value-of-money 

               calculations, interest rate and currency 

               conversions, function graphing and general 

               arithmetic. A back-solver function is 

               seamlessly integrated with 1-2-3, so you can 

               perform calculations even if a variable is 

               missing. A typical application would be to 

               determine the principle of a loan given a 

               specific monthly payment.

                  How do you make a good QWERTY keyboard in a 

               4 x 2-inch area? You don't! If one feature 

               takes away from an otherwise great product, 

               it's the keyboard. It is obvious that this one 

               was designed by HP's calculator division. The 

               inclusion of a separate numeric keypad versus 

               an embedded keypad like that of the Portfolio, 

               Poqet and virtually every laptop and notebook 

               computer on the market, makes typing a 

               challenge. Some 1-2-3 and calculator users will 

               welcome the tradeoff.

                  The overall hardware and software design, 

               with the exception of the keyboard, is 

               extremely logical. Probably the most useful 

               feature of the 95LX is the ability to instantly 

               switch between any application at the touch of 

               a key and return to it at exactly the same 

               point. Being able to instantly switch between 

               Lotus 1-2-3, phone book, memo and appointment 

               scheduler is a big boost to productivity. Other 

               useful features include a battery gauge, 

               password protection and a system-wide macro 

               facility. An infrared port allows convenient 

               wireless file transfer between two HP 95LXs.

                  The PC Link cable is unobtrusive compared to 

               the bulkier connections of the Atari and the 

               Poqet. The Filer, which is similar in 

               functionality to LapLink, provides a split 

               screen, with HP files on one side and PC files 

               on the other. Of all the palmtops reviewed, the 

               HP provides the easiest PC file transfer 

               facility. The Filer is also useful for copying 

               files to and from RAM cards, deleting files, 

               creating directories and executing DOS 

               programs. Included with the $99 Connectivity 

               Pack is the desktop counterpart of the HP's 

               internal applications, with the exception of 

               Lotus 1-2-3 and the communications module. File 

               translate utilities are included for conversion 

               between HP applications and Lotus Metro, 

               Sidekick Plus and PC Tools.

                  Because of the marketing power of Hewlett-

               Packard and Lotus, third-party developers are 

               jumping on the HP bandwagon with an abundance 

               of new hardware and software. Motorola recently 

               announced the NewsStream Receiver that offers 

               wireless one-way communications to the HP 95LX. 

               This product is actually a pager that connects 

               to the side of the unit and displays messages 

               and up-to-the-minute information such as news, 

               sports and weather, plus traffic reports and 

               stock quotations on the HP's display. Other 

               products due out include ACT!, a popular 

               contact management application, MCI Express for 

               electronic mail, Managing Your Money, a 

               personal finance package, and Globalink, a 

               document translation package.

                  Several peripherals are available from third 

               parties including the $359 U.S. Robotics 

               Worldport 2400 modem and the $539 Kodak Diconix 

               150 Plus battery-operated printer. Currently, 

               HP offers only 128K and 512K memory cards. 

               Memory cards designed for the Poqet PC, up to 

               2MB, will work on the HP 95LX, although 

               Hewlett-Packard claims that battery life may 

               suffer. PC card drives are available from 

               several vendors including DataBook.

                  The HP 95LX is the latest entry into the 

               palmtop category, and HP has capitalized on the 

               experience of the other vendors. The built-in 

               software is the most comprehensive of the 

               bunch. The spreadsheet, which is a complete 

               version of Lotus 1-2-3 v. 2.2, and a 

               communications module that provides terminal 

               emulation and scripting, are superior to the 

               other products. The daytimer features are 

               equaled only by the Sharp Wizard. The HP 95LX 

               is not recommended for extensive writing, due 

               to its small keyboard. Hewlett-Packard clearly 

               designed the 95LX for 1-2-3 and HP calculator 

               users, but the combination of useful built-in 

               applications, DOS compatibility and an industry 

               standard memory card slot give the HP 95LX mass 

               appeal.

                  

                  Poqet PC

                  If your definition of a true palmtop is a 

               full function equivalent of a laptop, the 

               $1,450 Poqet PC is what you have been waiting 

               for. The Poqet PC is the only unit that offers 

               full PC compatibility by providing a standard 

               80 x 25 display with CGA graphics capabilities. 

               It also sports a standard QWERTY keyboard, 512K 

               memory, a 512K RAM card, and the PC Link cable 

               and software.

                  Many popular PC programs have been converted 

               to ROM cards for use in the Poqet PC. ROM-card 

               versions of Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, Lotus 

               Agenda, ACT!, Lotus Works, XyWrite III, and PC 

               Anywhere IV represent a good selection of 

               programs that you might already use on your 

               desktop PC. Two industry standard RAM/ROM card 

               slots are available.

                  Two factors detract from the Poqet PC: size 

               and price. While the 8.8 x 4.3 x 1-inch 

               footprint is impressive for its capabilities, 

               it cannot fit in an inside coat jacket pocket, 

               despite the manufacturer's claim to the 

               contrary. Even if you managed to find a big 

               enough pocket, it would be too big and bulky 

               for an all-day affair. The obvious place for 

               the Poqet PC is a briefcase. This begs a key 

               question: If you are going to use a briefcase 

               to carry your Poqet PC, why not carry a more 

               capable notebook computer? For many users, a 

               notebook computer makes more sense, but 

               sometimes the smaller Poqet PC is a better 

               solution. In restaurants, business meetings, 

               seminars, and other places where space is 

               limited, the Poqet PC offers obvious 

               advantages.

                  At $1,450, the Poqet PC is the most 

               expensive palmtop reviewed here. Although the 

               recent inclusion of a 512K RAM card with the 

               base unit makes it a much more attractive 

               product, it is still twice as expensive as the 

               similarly equipped HP 95LX, which includes 

               Lotus 1-2-3. On the Poqet PC, Lotus 1-2-3 is a 

               $495 option. The base unit price, though, is 

               only half the problem. As with most of the 

               palmtop computers, the true expense is in 

               memory cards, which cost as much as $1,400 for 

               a 2MB RAM card.

                  To alleviate this problem, Poqet has teamed 

               up with SelecTronics and Memory Card 

               Associates. SelecTronics has licensed an 

               exclusive data-compression and retrieval 

               technology from Xerox Palo Alto Research Center 

               that allows a 20MB database to fit onto a 1MB 

               memory card. Memory Card Associates provides a 

               service to copy legally licensed software to 

               inexpensive ROM cards up to 4MB in size.

                  Another problem with the Poqet PC is the 

               hard-to-read LCD display. The characters are 

               very small and glare is a problem. The latter 

               problem has been somewhat resolved with an 

               improved model. Unfortunately, the new $1,500 

               Prime Poqet PC, which increases the internal 

               memory to 640K, is only available from selected 

               Value Added Resellers such as Digital Equipment 

               Corporation, and does not include the 512K 

               memory card or PC Link cable.

                  While the Poqet PC has its shortcomings, it 

               is a very capable product for those who can 

               afford it. In the right light it is a pleasure 

               to use. The keyboard, which was modified from 

               the original design, allows for touch typing 

               and has a very solid feel. The built-in 

               applications could use some improvements, 

               however.

                  The Write application is a useful text 

               editor, but if you want to do any significant 

               amount of writing, you probably will opt for 

               the WordPerfect ROM card. The text editor 

               provides block search and replace, move and 

               copy, word wrap and printing.

                  The Talk application is a useful 

               communications program. While all palmtops 

               reviewed here, except the Casio B.O.S.S., 

               provide some modem communications capabilities, 

               the Poqet is clearly the most adept in this 

               area because of its 80 x 25 display. 

               Unfortunately, the built-in communications 

               program has neither terminal emulation nor 

               scripting capabilities for automating 

               communications sessions, so users must look to 

               third parties for a complete solution. 

               Traveling computer support personnel can run 

               the optional PC Anywhere program on the Poqet 

               PC to provide electronic software support from 

               anywhere in the world. This program also allows 

               users to log onto a network.

                  If you are looking for an electronic 

               replacement for your daybook, look elsewhere. 

               The appointment book and scheduler lack the 

               flare of products like the Sharp Wizard and HP 

               95LX. The Poqet PC provides basic 

               functionality, plus an alarm function that 

               works even when the unit is turned off. The 

               Poqet tools also include a calculator function 

               with memory and paperless tape.

                  To enhance the compatibility of the Poqet 

               PC, standard peripherals, including parallel 

               and serial ports and a 3.5-inch battery-

               operated 1.44MB floppy disk drive are 

               available. A $389 PC Card Drive from DataBook 

               allows Poqet memory cards to be used on a 

               standard PC. The Poqet PC link cable and 

               software is provided for file transfers. It is 

               similar, although not as well implemented, as 

               the popular LapLink file transfer program.

                  If you are looking for a small substitute 

               for a laptop, the Poqet PC may be just the 

               ticket, if you can afford the admission price. 

               Also, if you must have a palmtop with an 80 x 

               25 display, the Poqet PC is not only your best 

               choice, but your only one. We found the Poqet 

               PC to be the only unit that provided a solid 

               word-processing environment. The combination of 

               WordPerfect, full-size display and solid 

               keyboard put it well above the rest in this 

               area. Because of the Poqet's limited built-in 

               applications, it is inappropriate as an 

               electronic daytimer, but for applications that 

               require full DOS compatibility the Poqet PC is 

               the best choice. 

                  

                  Sharp Wizard OZ-8200

                  If you are looking for an electronic 

               replacement for your daybook, and DOS 

               compatibility and power spreadsheets are 

               unnecessary, the $399 Sharp Wizard OZ-8200 is 

               the product for you. It features a clear 40-

               character x 8-line display, 128K of expandable 

               memory, a program card slot with a unique touch 

               screen panel and a host of built-in 

               applications that are a pleasure to use.

                  If you judge a palmtop on the basis of the 

               design and operation of its built-in 

               applications, the Wizard is head and shoulders 

               above the rest. With a few exceptions, the 

               Wizard's built-in software is well designed and 

               intuitive.

                  The scheduler provides monthly, weekly and 

               daily views, and a time line that graphically 

               displays start and end times of appointments, 

               revealing scheduling conflicts. Alarms will 

               sound even if the unit is turned off. Repeating 

               appointments are handled through a flexible 

               anniversary function. Three address books and a 

               flexible, albeit slower, business card function 

               are included.

                  The memo function is the OZ-8200's most 

               disappointing application. It is limited to 

               2,048 characters per entry. Other than a basic 

               search facility, the Wizard's memo function 

               offers an innovative feature called calc data. 

               This feature can be used for storing price 

               lists, and by using the integrated calculator, 

               you can calculate a proposal on the spot.

                  The outline function will appeal to even the 

               most diehard outline user. It is useful for 

               keeping track of to-do list, projects, 

               presentations and a variety of other 

               applications.

                  A built-in module provides modem 

               communications with the addition of a $179 

               pocket modem or a $499 fax/modem. This well-

               designed communication facility provides a 

               dialing directory, log-on scripts, and virtual 

               80-column support.

                  Other applications include a calculator with 

               memory and paperless printer as well as an 

               index feature that displays a one-line 

               description of each entry in each built-in 

               application. World and local time functions and 

               a password facility to protect data from prying 

               eyes are also provided.

                  Unlike the older 7000 series, the 8200 has a 

               standard QWERTY keyboard that is a godsend for 

               previous Wizard users. The keys are adequately 

               spaced, and the feel is good enough to make 

               touch typing possible. Twelve buttons located 

               across the top of the keyboard let you access 

               the built-in applications. Unique to the Wizard 

               is a touch screen located next to the display, 

               which changes functionality with each program 

               card.

                  Although the Wizard is not MS-DOS 

               compatible, Sharp and several third party 

               vendors have released Wizard-specific 

               applications, all utilizing the Wizard's 

               exclusive touch screen. One of the most 

               powerful of these is the 3-D Worksheet Manager, 

               which is based on Lucid 3D, a popular PC-based 

               spreadsheet. It features a 26-column and 999-

               row work area, and a host of advanced features, 

               including 3-D spreadsheet-linking, macros, 

               financial functions and graphing. 

                  Other IC program cards include Time/Expense 

               Manager, Dictionary/Thesaurus, Language 

               Translator, City Guide and Money Planner. 

               Unfortunately, most of these cards, except the 

               3-D Worksheet Manager, were developed for the 

               original Sharp Wizard OZ-7000 and its 16-column 

               screen. These applications only use the first 

               16 columns of the Wizard 8200's 40-column 

               display. The good news is that most new cards 

               support the full screen. A few recently 

               released programs include the Holy Bible, 

               Chess, a Tetris-like game and Basic 

               programming. 

                  Basic is not the only application 

               development tool, though. Probably the most 

               innovative program for the Wizard is a program 

               called Toolkit, by Nictrix. It is both a 

               database and application generator, and is 

               available in both end-user and developer 

               versions.

                  Because palmtop computers generally serve as 

               an extension to a desktop PC, the PC Link is a 

               critical part of the total package. The 

               Wizard's well-designed link provides a facility 

               for backing up files to a PC, but it goes 

               further by providing complete PC versions of 

               the Wizard's built-in applications. It can also 

               merge data changes on both the PC and Wizard. 

               Several import and export routines are 

               available, including Sidekick II, ASCII, comma 

               delimited, and even Lotus 1-2-3 for the 

               optional Time/Expense Manager card.

                  The Sharp Wizard OZ-8200 is the perfect 

               electronic replacement of a daytimer. 

               Applications are full-featured and work as 

               expected. The appointment scheduler is 

               effective at handling even the busiest of 

               schedules. The integrated outliner allows you 

               to organize notes and ideas and access them at 

               the touch of a key. The ability to easily merge 

               data from the Wizard and a PC, via the PC Link, 

               allows the Wizard to function as an extension 

               of a desktop PC. The abundant supply of program 

               cards available allow you to easily expand the 

               Wizard as your needs grow. If DOS compatibility 

               is not a requirement, and you want a top-notch 

               electronic daybook with superior connectivity 

               to both PCs and Macintoshes and a good 

               selection of software, you can't go wrong with 

               the Sharp Wizard OZ-8200.

                  

                  Recommendations

                  Although the palmtop class of computers is 

               still in its infancy, these products can fill 

               the needs of just about every user. While 

               advances still need to be made in the areas of 

               storage media and screen technology, these 

               products have come a long way in a relatively 

               short time. It is impossible to make an across-

               the-board recommendation, because these 

               products are clearly not one-size-fits-all.

                  While each product has its own weaknesses, 

               each also has its place in the market. Although 

               it is difficult to generalize on the market 

               breakdown of each product, key features of each 

               product position it for specific users. 

                  The best way to decide which palmtop is 

               right for you is to compare the relative 

               strengths and weaknesses of each unit described 

               in this report with your own needs and desires. 

               If possible, find a dealer that offers a return 

               policy, so you can try out your choice in 

               everyday situations to see how you like it.

                  The Casio Executive B.O.S.S. SF-9500, though 

               inexpensive and capable as a basic organizer, 

               offers few innovations . . . and therefore 

               provides little incentive for new buyers of 

               palmtops. However, existing users of earlier 

               B.O.S.S. models may choose it as an easy 

               upgrade.

                  For this category of computers, you cannot 

               make an informed decision by reading a 

               specification sheet. From a technical 

               specification standpoint, the Poqet PC is 

               clearly superior, but the hefty size makes it 

               more of an extremely small notebook computer 

               rather than a palmtop. Also, the built-in 

               applications are somewhat lacking, and the 

               screen can be hard to read. Nonetheless, if 

               what you demand is full PC compatibility, a 

               full-size 80 x 25 display with CGA graphics 

               capability, and a great keyboard, the $1,450 

               Poqet PC is the hands-down winner. 

                  The low-priced Atari Portfolio offers more 

               than simple daytimer functions, but its DOS 

               compatibility is limited. If you are looking 

               for a device to use primarily as a notetaker, 

               the Portfolio, with its well-designed keyboard, 

               might be just right. And with the hundreds of 

               free programs available, it is most certainly 

               an excellent value.

                  If your objective is to find the best all-

               around organizer, there's no beating the Sharp 

               Wizard OZ-8200. Don't plan on any heavy-duty 

               spreadsheet work--that's not really what the 

               Wizard's designed for. The unique touch screen 

               makes the incredible variety of card-based 

               applications a pleasure to use (although you 

               should avoid the older cards written for the 

               original 16-column Wizard). The built-in 

               schedulers, to-do lists and the like are 

               excellent. And the perks just keep piling up, 

               like the easy-to-use PC Link capability. 

               Sharp's continual refinement of the Wizard 

               should pay off for them handsomely. We're 

               pleased to award this product our "High Honors" 

               recommendation.

                  For the diehard Lotus 1-2-3 user, the 

               Hewlett-Packard 95LX is clearly the best 

               choice. And this isn't the HP's only strength: 

               The scheduler and alarms rival those of the 

               Wizard, and the PC link is nearly flawless. 

               Only the keyboard is sub-par, and even that is 

               a matter of personal taste: Users who want a 

               separate numeric keypad will prefer this model. 

               As the newest palmtop on the market, the 95LX 

               definitely benefits from Hewlett-Packard's 

               attention to the pros and cons of the 

               competition. We can expect a host of innovative 

               applications for the 95LX, not the least of 

               which is the Motorola communications device, 

               which will take the palmtop category to a new 

               plateau. Congratulations to Hewlett-Packard for 

               earning the Mobile Office "High Honors" award.

                  ----------

                  David Hayden is the president of Computer 

               Systems Analysis, a consulting firm that 

               specializes in the support of palmtop 

               computers.

                  

                  ...end text

                  

                  SIDEBAR

                  

                  Battery Life 

                  Battery life has always been exaggerated by 

               laptop vendors, and palmtop vendors have 

               carried on this same tradition: Vendors claim 

               as much as 150 hours of usage on a single set 

               of batteries. Many factors affect the battery 

               life of these pocket computers. The most 

               dramatic is the use of peripherals, such as 

               desktop computer links and modems.

                  The Poqet PC, Hewlett-Packard 95LX and Atari 

               Portfolio use AA batteries, while the Sharp 

               Wizard and Casio B.O.S.S. use flat, round 

               lithium batteries. A survey of many palmtop 

               users on CompuServe revealed some interesting 

               information on average battery life. 

                  With an average use of about two to three 

               hours per day, including occasional links to a 

               PC, the Casio B.O.S.S. and Sharp Wizard went 

               three to six months without a battery change. 

               The Poqet PC runs for about 60 hours on a set 

               of batteries, yielding about a month of use. 

               Extensive modem use can cut the time down to 

               less than a week! The HP 95LX is good for three 

               to four weeks, while the Atari Portfolio lasted 

               about two weeks longer.

                  These times may vary greatly depending on 

               the amount of peripheral use such as PC links, 

               modems, and printers. Rechargeable batteries 

               did not perform as well, and are not 

               recommended. Most of the palmtops have a backup 

               battery that last about a year. Memory cards 

               also use a backup battery that needs to be 

               changed once a year to prevent data loss. 

               Battery powered modems seemed to last about 

               four to six weeks. --D.H.

                  

                  ...end sidebar

                  

                  SIDEBAR

                  

                  Resources

                  

                  Atari Computer Corporation

                  1196 Borregas Avenue

                  Sunnyvale, CA 94088

                  (408) 745-2000

                  

                  Casio

                  Consumer Product Division

                  570 Mount Pleasant Avenue

                  Dover, NJ 07801

                  (201) 361-5400

                  

                  Hewlett-Packard

                  1000 NE Circle Boulevard

                  Corvallis, OR 97330

                  (800) 443-1254

                  

                  Poqet Computer Corporation

                  5200 Patrick Henry Drive

                  Santa Clara, CA 95054

                  (408) 982-9500

                  

                  Sharp Electronics Corporation

                  Sharp Plaza

                  Mahwah, NJ 07430-2135

                  (201) 529-8200

                  

                  

                  CompuServe

                  5000 Arlington Centre Boulevard

                  Columbus, OH 43220

                  (800) 848-8990

                  

                  DataBook, Inc.

                  Tower Building

                  Terrace Hill

                  Ithaca, NY 14850

                  (716) 889-4204

                  

                  Digital Equipment Corporation

                  143 Main Street

                  Maynard, MA 01754

                  (800) DIG-ITAL

                  

                  Eastman Kodak Company

                  901 Elm Grove Road

                  Rochester, NY 14653-6201

                  (800) 344-0006

                  

                  Globalink

                  9302 Lee Highway

                  4th Floor

                  Fairfax, VA 22031

                  (703) 273-5600

                  

                  Memory Card Associates

                  1016 East El Camino Real, Ste. 273

                  Sunnyvale, CA 94087

                  (408) 236-2623

                  

                  Motorola, Inc.

                  1500 NW 22nd Street Avenue

                  Boynton Beach, FL 33426

                  (407) 364-2000

                  

                  Nictrix Corporation

                  Leonia 80 Technical Center

                  2 Christie Heights Street

                  Leonia, NJ 07605

                  (201) 947-2220

                  

                  Practical Peripherals

                  31245 La Baya Drive

                  Westlake Village, CA 91362

                  (800) 442-4774

                  

                  Selectronics, Inc.

                  Two Tobey Village Office Park

                  Pittsford, NY 14534

                  (716) 248-3875

                  

                  U.S. Robotics

                  8100 N. McCormick

                  Skokie, IL 60076

                  (800) 342-5877

                  

                  Xoterix

                  23106 Baltar Street

                  West Hills, CA 91304

                  (818) 888-7390

                  

